Donyelle Denise Wilson, widely recognized as Donyelle Jones on the popular TV series “So You Think You Can Dance,” passed away on December 2, 2025, at 46 years old. For almost a decade, Wilson battled breast cancer.
Her family made the announcement on her Instagram account, where she had been regularly updating her followers about her health. In a post, Wilson was described as “A wife. A daughter. A sister. A friend. And a warrior who kicked cancer’s a** every single day she was here.” The post further highlighted her unyielding spirit and ever-present smile even during the most demanding periods of her life.
Wilson’s diagnosis of Stage 3C breast cancer was made in 2016. The cancer later advanced to Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Despite her severe illness, Wilson carried on with her passion for dance and continued her professional engagements throughout her treatment.
Wilson gained fame in 2006 as a contestant on the second season of “So You Think You Can Dance.” Known for her hip-hop and jazz dance skills, she secured the third position in the competition, trailing behind winner Benji Schwimmer and second-place contestant Travis Wall. Her stint on the show catapulted her to fame and kick-started her professional dance career. Schwimmer, who was paired with Wilson during the show, paid tribute to her after her death, recounting a dream where they danced together again, free of pain.
After her success on the show, Wilson kept dancing professionally. She was featured in the Ryan Reynolds film “”Spirited”” and even danced for pop icon Janet Jackson, a feat made more extraordinary as it occurred just three months post-chemotherapy. Her cousin, the singer-songwriter Shanice, hailed Wilson as “”the strongest human being”” on the planet. Actress Yvette Nicole Brown commended Wilson’s demonstration of how to live, fight, love, and dance in the face of a deadly disease.
Wilson was married to Tahir Wilson for 13 years. She maintained close relationships with her fellow dancers from “So You Think You Can Dance,” including Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who passed away in 2022. In 2019, Wilson also took part in Kanye West’s Sunday Service events, finding solace in worship amidst her health challenges.
In 2025, Wilson resumed teaching dance classes, describing it as a self-gifted birthday present. However, in the weeks leading up to her demise, Wilson shared videos showcasing her deteriorating health condition. She revealed that she had begun arranging her matters and had “surrendered to whatever God’s will is” as her liver function declined. During her last days, she was in hospice care. In one of her final posts, Wilson assured her followers that she had done everything possible to prolong her life and urged them to cherish their community and family members.
Wilson’s death followed the recent passing of another “So You Think You Can Dance” alumnus, Joshua Allen, the winner of Season 4. Throughout her illness, Wilson consistently updated her fans, sharing both the hard times and triumphs. Her candidness provided solace for many others confronted with similar health battles.
Wilson’s tenure on “So You Think You Can Dance” was during the show’s formative years, with her hip-hop and jazz performances playing a crucial role in shaping the show’s style. The show exposed her to nationwide recognition and opened avenues for her professional endeavors. Wilson passed away at 8:34 a.m. on December 2, 2025, leaving behind her husband, family, friends, and a legion of fans who admired her talent and resilience.
